We have noticed some errors in the equations presented in [J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 17 (4) (2011) 667–674] for calculation of the dimensionless quantities α(T)/VB and b(T)/VB from the Lennard-Jones (12,6) potential.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of monodispersed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the proliferation, myogenic differentiation and regulation of associated myogenic marker genes. The as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles had the hexagonal wurtzite structure with maximum absorption at 355 nm and the band gap energy was found to be 3.21 eV. The electron microscopy analysis showed that the ZnO nanoparticles are spherical in shape with an average size range between 10-15 nm. The XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal structure of ZnO nanoparticles and the Raman spectroscopic analysis showed the vibrations of the zinc lattice and oxygen vibration of ZnO nanoparticles. The effect of ZnO nanoparticles on myogenic differentiation was analyzed using C2C12 cells and the results showed the nanoparticles supported the proliferation with negotiable cytotoxic activity. Moreover, the ZnO nanoparticles were significantly enhanced the myoblasts into myotube formation through upregulating the myogenic markers such as myosin heavy chain, MyoD, MyoG genes. The further analysis demonstrated that the ZnO nanoparticles regulates the non-apoptotic effect of caspases and calpain family proteins in respond to the enhancement of myogenic differentiation. Together, the ZnO nanoparticles provide an additional evidence for the role of nanomaterials in skeletal muscle repair and tissue regeneration engineering.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), a robust renewable and green nanomaterial, has potential as an excellent reinforcing and multifunctional filler for polymers used in coating and other applications. However, the high polarity of CNCs limits its interfacial interaction and dispersibility with several non-polar polymers. These limitations severely constrain it from transferring its functional attributes to polymeric materials. In this paper, three differentiated cationic surfactants: cetyltetramethylammoniumbromide (CTAB, C16 single chain), dimethyldidodecylammonium bromide (DDAB, C12 double chains) and dimethyldihexadecylammonium (DHAB, C16 double chains) were used to modify the surface of CNCs. The modifications were confirmed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and elemental analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the samples revealed that the crystallinities and the thermal stabilities of the modified CNCs were preserved. Corrosion protection studies of epoxy nanocomposites containing the native and surfactant modified CNCs were conducted using model steel specimens via salt spray and electrochemical test methods. The results reported herein indicated that the use of surfactant modified CNCs resulted in an enhanced dispersibility in the epoxy matrices as compared to native CNCs. The improved dispersion assisted in retardation of the penetration of electrolyte that caused a remarkable improvement in the metal corrosion protection performance, as compared to unfilled or native CNC filled epoxy coatings.